This blog was started as a way of keeping myself motivated to keep working out, and the blog has been successful in that aspect. I started running in 2007, and it really has transformed my life. I have discovered so many inspiring individuals through the "blog world" and many delicious recipes. I use this blog to keep track of my training and write about the fun things in life. Keep checking back to read about my training for my first marathon, in February 2011.

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Sunday, October 24, 2010

Happy Birthday Chris!

Friday night we started the birthday festivities by meeting some friends at a local bar. It was a great time, although I did not take many pictures. I did manage to take a picture of Chris with his new Darth Vader teddy bear that Ryan and Caitlin got him (along with some beer). So cute! It even plays Star Wars music! They paired perfectly with one of the gifts I gave Chris. I got him some books about the science/physics of Superheroes, Supervillains, Star Trek, and Star Wars.

My pear cider

Chris with his Darth Vader Teddy Bear

I'm looking forward to reading these too! We are such dorks!

He goes well with the "life-size" Yoda in our living room. Oh yeah, we are dorky!

Saturday morning, I made my first poached eggs, following the wonderful directions of A Healthier Happier Bear. We both worked on homework, then did some shopping. I had to get some GUs for my training and some body glide. As it turns out, my hydration pack rubbed in one tiny spot along my spine during our 15 mile run. I didn't even realize it until I took a shower and felt some stinging. I bought some body glide to help prevent that in the future.

Eggs in the water

Speaking of our epic 15 mile run, my legs are feeling wonderful! After the run, I took an ice bath, shower, then put on my CEP compression socks. Then I rotated icing my knees and my feet, since they were both sore. The next day my muscles all felt fine, but my knees were killing me. It hurt to walk, so I took the elevator instead of the stairs. I iced my knees while at work, and by the end of the day my knees were great!

Saturday night, Chris and I went for a very easy 3 mile run (in 33:19). I wanted to take it easy and go slow, because I was considering it a recovery run (and my third run for the week). Chris wore his Vibrams and ran in the grass along side me. My legs felt good, except for a small twinge of pain in my right knee around 1.5 miles. We walked for a bit then which seemed to help. I ended the run without pain. Then we went out for his birthday dinner, just the two of us. We went to PF Changs for dinner. We ended the night with this amazing dessert consisting of banana spring rolls and coconut/pineapple ice cream. SO DELICOUS! They also gave him a free mini dessert for his birthday, which I believe was chocolate mousse. My knees did not appreciate the heals I was wearing, but they are feeling fine today.

Today we went to celebrate Chris's birthday the way any person should celebrate their 30th birthday... in a room full of trampolines! We went to Rebounderz and bounced around for an hour. It was tiring but so much fun!

Check out our awesome shoes!

Tired at the end of the day.

On a side note, due to some recent spam on my blog, so I changed the comments on my blog so that I have to approve them. All in all, we had a wonderful weekend! I hope you all had just as great of a weekend.

About Me

I am an adventure-seeking girl that wishes she could fly. I am a runner and future triathlete who also loves Pilates, yoga, spinning and learning to cook. I am a graduate student going for my PhD in Chemistry with an emphasis on Forensic Science. I want to learn how to be a better and healthier cook, photography, and painting. I am Jes.

2011 Challenge

I am determined to run at least 3 days a week, and do an upper body and ab work-out at least 1 day a week for as many of the 52 weeks in this year as possible. I have no distance, pace, or time limitations. I am starting the first week on the first Sunday of the year (January 2nd).

Week: 32 of 52 (started Sunday, August 7)

Number of weeks where I met the weekly goal: 25

Number of weeks where I have not met the weekly goal: 3

(Reasons I did not run for specified weeks: (1) injury, (2) was feeling sick and wanted to recover before our trip to Italy! (3) Italy trip! Tons of walking, but did not have three dedicated runs for the week.

"Running is the classical road to self-consciousness, self-awareness and self-reliance. Independence is the outstanding characteristic of the runner. He learns the harsh reality of his physical and mental liminitations when he runs. He learns that personal commitment, sacrifice and determination are his only means to betterment. Runners only get promoted through self-conquest." ~Noel Carroll, Irish track trailblazer